Bahamas Trip Planning Suggestions Please

T

TitanTn

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I have always dreamed of taking my own boat across the gulf stream and island hopping in the Bahamas. I've owned many boats, and have done much boating in coastal and inland areas. I now have a boat that I'm comfortable taking to the Bahamas, but it's still considered a small boat crossing.

The boat is a Sea Ray 300 Weekender. Twin 350 inboards, 30 feet long, 11 foot beam. 200 gallons of fuel.

I'm looking for route suggestions. I'm planning to go in June of 2017. My thoughts currently are to leave from Lake Worth Inlet and go to West End. Head northeast and go through the Abacos.

Thoughts on any of this? A different route based on fuel considerations? I think any route is going to be amazing for us - seeing we've never done any of it. I'm more concerned about fuel than anything else. I want to make sure I never cut it too close.
 
Sounds like a plan. Depending on your life style, quiet, busy or in between each cay offers something different. Fuel is cheaper in West End, so tank up there before the abacos. Check in fuel up and continue on unless you want to hang for a nite with good weather the next day. Check the Explorer Charts web site for a decent guide to fuel prices and dockage.
On a calm day, I am thinking you can make the run as far as Green Turtle or Elbow Cay It is roughly 200nm from North Palm Beach Marina to Elbow Cay and White Sound. It will be a long day, but I think you can do it and crash with a beverage in hand at the end of the day.

Basically cross to West End. Then Indian Cut up to Baracuta Shoal, South of Great Sale and then around Abaco. Explorer charts will give you all of the way points you need. Buy them. Plot it all in advance and get it onto your nav gear so you can merely turn it on and go. Run over the route prior to departure, the night before reviewing depths etc..

You are on a great boat for a couple of weeks as long as you have a genny and don't mind paying a premium for water and fuel. I would bring drinking water for the first couple of days and the crossings. West End water is kind of suspect.
 
Thanks boatbum. That is exactly what I was needing to hear. I'll try to fill up in the cheaper locations, but I'm just going to make sure I'm filling up often - regardless. I like to be over-prepared. I plan to get the Explorer charts, both digital and paper. I also intend to get Dodge's Guidebook. Green Turtle sounds like a good plan A, but I'll probably have a plan B should the water not be ideal.

I'm using iNavx, so everything will be put into routes before I go. Thanks for the advice about everything - we're really looking forward to it.

If anyone else has some more advice - please feel free to put it out there. I'm hoping to do some more posts about my plans and the results when I get back. I've been searching for info on people doing a trip like this on small boats, but I'm not having a lot of luck - so I want to give back in that way. I see lots of posts for sailboats, bigger cruisers, or fishing boats. I'm interested in receiving and giving feedback as it relates to the 24' - 34' cruiser.

Thanks again.
 
There are weather sites that we frequent and services to subscribe to. Chris Parker generally has good information and we have an annual subscription with him. Passageweather dot com and windfinder work as well.
Stopping at West End for a first timer is a good thing IMHO because your nerves may be a bit rattled crossing the stream the first time. It's a great place to check in, fill up and hit the pool or beach bar to unwind and settle down for the long ride around the bank to Green Turtle. I am thinking if you make it that far run to Hope Town. Much more going on on Elbow Cay.
Green Turtle is a good stop, with either the green turtle club or the bluff house being our choice. Leeward in Black Sound is ok, but we prefer the other two in White Sound. Rent a cart, take a ride with Brendal's Dive center, and chill.
On Elbow, check out either the Hopetown Inn and Marina or SeaSpray. Go off shore with Local Boy fishing, hit all sorts of places for dining. With a 30'er you can stop at Lubbers Landing or Cracker P's but get their early for lunch and make sure you have a stout stern anchor.
 
Thanks again for the great tips. Now that I've settled on Abacos for sure, I need to get the charts and guidebooks to plan the specifics. This is a great jump start.
 
Take a look at, Explorer Chart Kits, Dodge's Cruising Guide to Abaco and you could also look at getting the Nobletec Time Zero app for iPads that will run the Explorer charts.
 
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